Harrison Mixbus - do I need a separate channel strip?

[garrettendi]

So I use Mixbus 8. Really nice software works well and sounds pretty good - better than Reaper but that might be confirmation bias…

Mixbus comes with a basic EQ on each channel, saturation on the buses, and basic compressors on each strip and a master limiter.

I have in the past used free channel strips from Analog Obsession, and there’s a nice channel strip going cheap from Audio Assault.

Would there be a benefit with using a separate channel strip plugin over staying “pure” to Mixbus’ Analog emulation?

Same question but also for preamp emulators?

[Drew Stephenson]

Short answer: no.

Longer answer: still no (unless your alternative channel strip has some additional functionality that you suddenly find useful).

For me, the main reason to use mixbus would be to take advantage of the whole Harrison-console-emulation thing they have going on.

[garrettendi]

I suspected such! But the lure of new gear weighs heavy

[resistorman]

I suspected such! But the lure of new gear weighs heavy

understood. The channels in Mixbus are really nice. However, there are plenty of other useful plugins out there. For instance, I highly recommend Soundtoy's Super Plate which just came out... I used their Little Plate on almost every mix. Also great are the Valhalla plugins which don't go on sale but are affordable, and in some cases free.

[sonics]

Would there be a benefit with using a separate channel strip plugin over staying “pure” to Mixbus’ Analog emulation?

Of course there would. The benefits would be different sounds and features, just like using outboard processing with a real Harrison desk. That's a lot of benefit in my mind. I wouldn't dream of restricting myself to the features of Mixbus (good as I think it is). As always, the focus should be on what you want that Mixbus is not giving you.